U.S. patent application number 12/327650 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for sliding mechanism and portable electronic device using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to CHAO-ZHONG FU, JIAN LI, JIN-XIN WANG.
Application Number | 20100022286 12/327650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41569117 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100022286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; JIN-XIN ; et
al. |
January 28, 2010 |
SLIDING MECHANISM AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME
Abstract
An exemplary sliding mechanism includes a main plate, a slide
plate, and a clock spring positioned between the main plate and the
slide plate. The slide plate is slidably connected to the main
plate. The clock spring includes a first spiral portion fixed to
the slide plate, a second spiral portion fixed to the main plate,
and a connecting portion connecting the first spiral portion to the
second spiral portion. The clock spring is configured for driving
the slide plate and enabling the slide plate to slide along the
main plate after the slide plate is manually moved to a
predetermined position with respect to the main plate.
Inventors: |
WANG; JIN-XIN; (Shenzhen
City, CN) ; FU; CHAO-ZHONG; (Shenzhen City, CN)
; LI; JIAN; (Shenzhen City, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. Steven Reiss
288 SOUTH MAYO AVENUE
CITY OF INDUSTRY
CA
91789
US
|
Assignee: |
HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY
(SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
Shenzhen City
TW
HON HAI PRECISION IDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
|
Family ID: |
41569117 |
Appl. No.: |
12/327650 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0237
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/575.4 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2008 |
CN |
200810303064.3 |
Claims
1. A sliding mechanism, comprising: a main plate; a slide plate
slidably connected to the main plate; and a clock spring positioned
between the main plate and the slide plate, the clock spring being
configured for driving the slide plate and enabling the slide plate
to slide along the main plate after the slide plate is manually
moved to a predetermined position with respect to the main plate,
the clock spring comprising: a first spiral portion being fixed to
the slide plate; a second spiral portion being fixed to the main
plate; and a connecting portion connecting the first spiral portion
to the second spiral portion.
2. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the coil direction of
the first spiral portion is opposite to the coil direction of the
second spiral portion.
3. The sliding mechanism of claim 2, wherein the clock spring is on
substantially the same plane as the main plate and the slide plate;
the first spiral portion is positioned symmetrically to the second
spiral portion.
4. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first spiral
portion is fixed to the slide plate via a first rivet, and the
second spiral portion is fixed to the main plate via a second
rivet.
5. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the
clock spring is circular, rectangular, or elliptical.
6. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism
further comprises a pair of guiding rails; the slide plate defines
two receiving grooves in opposite sides thereof; the main plate
includes a pair of slide strips in opposite sides thereof; the
guiding rails engage in the corresponding receiving grooves of the
slide plate; the slide strips of the main plate engage with the
guiding rails.
7. The sliding mechanism of claim 6, wherein the guiding rails are
integrally formed with the slide plate.
8. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism
further comprises a first limiting portion fixed to a first end of
the main plate and a second limiting portion fixed to a second end
of the main plate opposite to the first end.
9. A portable electronic device, comprising: a first housing; a
second housing slidably connected to the first housing; and a
sliding mechanism connected between the first housing and the
second housing for guiding a sliding motion of the second housing
relative to the first housing, the sliding mechanism comprising: a
main plate secured to the first housing; a slide plate slidably
connected to the main plate, and secured to the second housing; and
a clock spring positioned between the main plate and the slide
plate, the clock spring being configured for driving the slide
plate and enabling the slide plate to slide along the main plate
after the slide plate is manually moved to a predetermined position
with respect to the main plate, the clock spring comprising: a
first spiral portion being fixed to the slide plate; a second
spiral portion being fixed to the main plate; and a connecting
portion connecting the first spiral portion to the second spiral
portion.
10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the coil
direction of the first spiral portion is opposite to the coil
direction of the second spiral portion.
11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the clock
spring is on substantially the same plane as the main plate and the
slide plate, and the first spiral portion is positioned
symmetrically to the second spiral portion.
12. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first
spiral portion is fixed to the slide plate via a first rivet, and
the second spiral portion is fixed to the main plate via a second
rivet.
13. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein a
cross-section of the clock spring is circular, rectangular, or
elliptical.
14. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the sliding
mechanism further comprises a pair of guiding rails; the slide
plate defines two receiving grooves in opposite sides thereof; the
main plate includes a pair of slide strips in opposite sides
thereof; the guiding rails engage in the corresponding receiving
grooves of the slide plate; the slide strips of the main plate
engage with the guiding rails.
15. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the guiding
rails are integrally formed with the slide plate.
16. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the sliding
mechanism further comprises a first limiting portion fixed to a
first end of the main plate and a second limiting portion fixed to
a second end of the main plate opposite to the first end.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention generally relates to sliding
mechanisms and, more particularly, to a sliding mechanism used for
a portable electronic device with two or more housings.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Sliding mechanisms are widely used in portable electronic
devices, such as slide-type mobile phones and slide-type personal
digital assistants. A typical slide mechanism generally includes a
first sheet, a second sheet, and a torsion spring positioned
between the first sheet and the second sheet. The first sheet is
slidably connected to the second sheet. The torsion spring includes
a spiral portion, and a first arm and a second arm extending from
the spiral portion. The first arm is fixed to the second sheet, and
the second arm is fixed to the first sheet.
[0005] In use, the torsion spring provides an elastic force
enabling the first plate to slide along the second plate after the
first plate is manually moved to a predetermined position with
respect to the second plate.
[0006] However, when the torsion spring is deformed, the force
applied on the torsion spring is concentrated on a portion between
the first and second arms and the spiral portion. Thus, the
portions between the first and second arms and the spiral portion
are easily damaged, and a work life of the sliding mechanism is
unduly shortened.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a sliding mechanism which
overcomes the above-described shortcomings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating
the principles of the present sliding mechanism and portable
electronic device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views, and all the views are schematic.
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a closed state of
one embodiment of a sliding-type portable electronic device, the
portable electronic device including a first housing, a second
housing, and a sliding mechanism.
[0010] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing an opened state of
the sliding-type portable electronic device.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of an embodiment of
the sliding mechanism of the electronic device of FIG. 1, the
sliding mechanism including a slide plate, a main plate, a clock
spring, and a pair of guiding rails.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded, isometric view of the sliding
mechanism of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but viewed from another
aspect.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an assembled, isometric view of the sliding
mechanism of FIG. 4, showing the slide plate in a closed position
relative to the main plate.
[0015] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but showing the slide plate in
a half-closed position relative to the main plate.
[0016] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6, but showing the slide plate in
an open position relative to the main plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, one embodiment of a sliding
mechanism 200 is adapted for use in a portable electronic device
100. The portable electronic device 100 includes a first housing
102, a second housing 104 engaging with the first housing 102, and
the sliding mechanism 200. The sliding mechanism 200 is positioned
between the first and second housings 102, 104 for making the
second housing 104 slidable relative to the first housing 102. The
second housing 104 slides relative to the first housing 102, to
expose or cover a keypad (not labeled) on the first housing
102.
[0018] The sliding mechanism 200 includes a slide plate 21, a main
plate 22, a clock spring 23, and a pair of guiding rails 24. The
slide plate 21 is slidably connected to the main plate 22. The
clock spring 23 is positioned between the slide plate 21 and the
main plate 22. An end of the clock spring 23 is fixed to the slide
plate 21 and another end is fixed to the main plate 22. The clock
spring 23 may be a spiral torsion spring. The clock spring 23 is on
substantially a same plane as the main plate 22 and the slide plate
21.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment,
the slide plate 21 of the sliding mechanism 200 is substantially
rectangular shaped. The slide plate 21 includes a main portion 211.
The slide plate 21 defines an engaging hole 2113 approximately in
the main portion 211. A pair of arched sidewalls 212 extend from
opposite sides of the main portion 211, thereby defining two
receiving grooves 213 for receiving the guiding rails 24 of the
sliding mechanism 200. Each sidewall 212 defines a latching hole
2131.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the main plate 22 of the
sliding mechanism 200 is substantially rectangular shaped. The main
plate 22 includes a main body 221 and a pair of slide strips 223
extending from opposite sides of the main body 221. The main body
221 defines an oblong opening 224 adjacent to an end portion and a
fixing hole 2213. The oblong opening 224 is configured for
assembling the sliding mechanism 200 easily. The fixing hole 2213
is adjacent to the slide strips 223. The main plate 22 and the
slide plate 21 may be metallic and made by punching.
[0021] The sliding mechanism 200 further includes a first limiting
portion 225 and a second limiting portion 226. The first limiting
portion 225 extends from a first end of the main plate 22, and the
second limiting portion 226 extends from a second end of the main
plate 22 opposite to the first end of the main plate 22. The first
limiting portion 225 and the second limiting portion 226 are
configured to restrict a sliding range of the slide plate 21. In
the illustrated embodiment, the sliding mechanism includes two
first limiting portions 225 and two second limiting portions
226.
[0022] The clock spring 23 includes a first spiral portion 235, a
second spiral portion 236, and a connecting portion 238 connecting
the first spiral portion 235 to the second spiral portion 236. A
cross-section of the clock spring 23 may be circular, rectangular,
or elliptical. The connecting portion 238 may be substantially
curved. The first spiral portion 235 is positioned symmetrically to
the second spiral portion 236. The coil direction of the first
spiral portion 235 is opposite to the coil direction of the second
spiral portion 238. The first spiral portion 235 has a first free
end 2311, and the second spiral portion 236 has a second free end
2321. The first free end 2311 and the second free end 2321 are
substantially ring-shaped.
[0023] The guiding rails 24 may be substantially rectangular
shaped. A first sidewall (not labeled) forms a latching protrusion
242, and a second sidewall (not labeled) opposite to the first
sidewall defines a guiding slot 244. The guiding rails 24 may be
integrally formed with the slide plate 21 by an insert-molded
technology. The slide plate 21, as an insert member, is inserted
into an injection mold, and then melted plastic is injected into
the injection mold to form the guiding rails 24 on the slide plate
21. In an insert-molding process, the melted plastic flows into the
latching holes 2131 and the receiving grooves 213 of the slide
plate 21. The melted plastic is joined around the latching holes
2131 to form a bonding structure for improving the bonding strength
between the slide plate 21 and the guiding rails 24.
[0024] The sliding mechanism 200 further includes a first rivet 251
and a second rivet 252.
[0025] In assembly of the sliding mechanism 200, the first spiral
portion 235 of the clock spring 23 is attached to the main plate
22, via the first rivet 251 engaging in the first free end 2311 and
the fixing hole 2213 of the main plate 22. The second spiral
portion 236 of the clock spring 23 is attached to the slide plate
21, by engaging the second rivet 252 in the second free end 2321
and the engaging hole 2113 of the slide plate 21. The clock spring
23 is positioned between the slide plate 21 and the main plate 22.
The slide strips 223 of the main plate 22 are inserted into the
guiding slots 244 of the corresponding guiding rails 24, so that
the guiding rails 24 are slidably connected to the main plate 22.
Accordingly, the slide plate 21 is slidable relative to the main
plate 22 because the slide plate 21 is integrally formed with the
guiding rails 24.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 again, when the sliding mechanism 200 is
adopted in the portable electronic device 100, the first housing
102 of the portable electronic device 100 is firmly secured to the
main plate 22, and the second housing 104 of the portable
electronic device 100 is firmly secured to the slide plate 21. The
portable electronic device 100 may be selectively opened or closed.
FIG. 6 shows the slide plate 21 in one position, for example, a
closed position, relative to the main plate 22. FIG. 7 shows the
slide plate 21 in a half-closed position relative to the main plate
22. FIG. 8 shows the slide plate 21 in an open position relative to
the main plate 22.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the slide plate 21 is at an end of the
main plate 22, the clock spring 23 is in a normal state, and a
distance between the first and second free ends 2311, 2321 of the
clock spring 23 is at the furthest distance. Referring also to FIG.
1, when the second housing 104 is moved along a direction of the
arrow shown in FIG. 1, that is, towards an open position as shown
in FIG. 2, the slide plate 21 slides relative to the main plate 22
as indicated by a direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7.
Therefore, the slide plate 21 together with the guiding rails 24
slide along the slide strips 223 of the main plate 22. The second
free end 2321 moves towards the first free end 2311 of the clock
spring 23. The distance between the first spiral portion 235 and
the second spiral portion 236 decreases. The clock spring 23 is
compressed, accumulating elastic force, and reaches the largest
elastic force when the slide plate 21 reaches the middle of the
main plate 22. In this position, the distance between the first
spiral portion 235 and the second spiral portion 236 is at the
smallest distance, and the curvature of the connecting portion 238
is at its largest.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 7, the clock spring 23 is at a largest
compressed state when the slide plate 21 is in the middle of the
main plate 22, thereby accumulating the largest elastic force. At
this time, if the second housing 104 is pushed longitudinally in
either direction away from the middle, the elastic force of the
clock spring 23 is released along the direction of movement and the
slide plate 21 slides in the direction urged by the elastic force
of the clock spring 23 to either the open position of FIG. 6 or the
closed position of FIG. 8.
[0029] When moving the slide plate 21 to the open or close
position, the first spiral portion 235 and the second spiral
portion 236 of the clock spring 23 simultaneously compresses, and
then the first spiral portion 235 and the second spiral portion 236
simultaneously decompresses. In this way, the force applied on the
clock spring 23 is distributed evenly on the clock spring 23,
thereby preventing a stress concentration.
[0030] The sliding mechanism 200 has many advantages. One advantage
is that the clock spring 23 includes a first spiral portion 235 and
a second spiral portion 236. When the clock spring 23 is
compressed, the external force applied on the clock spring 23 is
distributed evenly on the whole clock spring 23. Therefore, the
life of the clock spring 23 is prolonged. Another advantage is that
the clock spring 23 is on a same plane. Thus, the clock spring 23
occupies a relatively small space. Lastly, since the guiding rails
24 are integrally formed with the slide plate 21, the sliding of
the guiding rails 24 and the slide plate 21 is stable.
[0031] It is believed that the present embodiments and their
advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and
it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments or
sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples
hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary
embodiments.
* * * * *